Warning to Premier League – Leeds United are on their way back

The Elland Road club ended a three-year stay in League One on Saturday with a nail-biting final-day victory over Bristol Rovers.

United pipped Millwall, who beat Swindon Town 3-2 at The Den, to second place by a point after battling back from being both a man down and a goal down at home to the Pirates.

Substitute Jonny Howson and Jermaine Beckford netted the all-important goals to prompt joyous scenes among the 38,234 crowd.

While Leeds chief Grayson admits getting out of the Championship will be tough, he is determined that no one at the club rests on their laurels.

The Leeds manager said: "I think getting out of League One for Leeds United will be harder than getting out of the Championship. We have been a big scalp in this division. I know the Championship is a difficult division and there are some really big teams in there but it doesn't frighten me.

"I won't say we will be promoted next year. But I am an ambitious manager and want to get this club in the Premier League.

"We will have a good go. Not being the biggest scalp in the division will help us and it is a challenge we will embrace.

"Look at Leicester. They won promotion from League One last season and are now in the play-offs. I firmly believe Leeds are a bigger club than Leicester but they are a decent role model to follow.

"I am not setting any targets. But every time I kick off a season with a club, I want to get promoted – regardless of what division I am in. That will be no different next time."

Grayson's determination to build on promotion means his mind has already turned to what changes need to be made.

He plans to reveal this week which of his out-of-contract players will be leaving Elland Road.

He will also make one last attempt to try to keep Beckford, whose winner against Bristol Rovers was his 31st strike of another profitable season.

Leeds, however, are likely to be left frustrated in their attempts to keep hold of the 26-year-old striker with Everton expected to land him on a free transfer.

With Beckford seemingly bound for the exit door, United will have to strengthen and the Yorkshire Post understands several targets are high on Grayson's wish list.

Sheffield United's out-of-contract midfielder Nick Montgomery is one of those believed to be wanted by Leeds along with team-mate Chris Morgan. Swindon striker Billy Paynter is another linked with Elland Road as is Billy Sharp of Sheffield United and Scunthorpe United's Gary Hooper.

Grayson is understandably reluctant to go into details about his transfer targets, instead being keen to stress that many of his squad will be given a chance to impress in the Championship. He said: "It has been a long season for everyone connected with the club. The players will disappear next week for seven or eight weeks and I will get a holiday at some stage.

"But come Monday and Tuesday, I will be planning for next time. The results from the first half of the season showed what a good group of players we have.

"I genuinely believe a large number of these lads can cope with the Championship but we will need to strengthen.

"We have to move forward. I brought players in last summer to get us promoted and then moved on from there.

"I will give them the opportunity to move us on but I also have to be ruthless because I want this club to be successful."

Asked how much he may have to spend in the transfer market, Grayson replied: "Any conversations about money (with chairman Ken Bates) can wait for early next week. The chairman is just as delighted as me that we have won promotion."

One major surprise ahead of kick-off was the naming of Beckford as captain after Richard Naylor had been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Grayson explained: "I looked around and thought 'why not Jermaine?' He is one of the senior pros and I thought the extra responsibility might give him an extra spring in his step.

"I thought it worked as he led by example throughout. He was the one trying to get Max (Gradel) off the pitch after his sending-off, which wasn't an easy situation."

On what the future holds for United's top scorer in each of the last three seasons, Grayson joked: "The lads have gagged Jermaine and tied him up before putting a contract in front of him so I don't know if he will have a change of heart.

"Seriously, if there is a chance of keeping Jermaine within our financial constraints then we will try and keep him because he is a fantastic player.

"We turned down good money in January (from Newcastle) because we wanted to win promotion. His goals have proved that was the right decision.

"He has become a hero – whether he leaves as one is a question for another time. If we can offer him the right deal to stay, I would love him to stay. But if you are competing against teams from the Premier League, it is a different ball game."